Resources for GPs

We have tools and resources to help GPs support people living with or at risk of cancer.

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Coronavirus guidance for health professionals

We understand it's a challenging time for healthcare professionals. That's why we're doing whatever it takes to support you with the latest information, training and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can also access our emotional health and well-being hub to learn about all the ways we're here for you.

Visit the coronavirus hub

Rapid referral guidelines

Our rapid referral guidelines are designed to help you identify children, young people and adults with symptoms of suspected cancer. They can help you decide if a referral is:

  • non-urgent – requires routine referral or tests
  • urgent – required within two weeks
  • very urgent – required within 48 hours.

The guidelines are endorsed by NICE and summarise the (NG12) guidelines for suspected cancer. They suggest what to look for in primary care, with referral recommendations and safety netting advice.

The NHS has specific Referral guidelines for Scotland.

You can download the rapid referral guidelines or order a printed copy.

Quality improvement resources for primary care

We have developed modules to support primary care teams to improve the quality of care they provide to people with cancer. The modules will also enable practices and primary care networks to deliver the requirements of the Primary Care Network Specifications and QoF Quality Improvement Projects (in England).

England

  • Early diagnosis and cancer screening

    The early diagnosis and screening modules will help you:

    • identify patients at risk of cancer
    • increase uptake of cancer screening
    • improve referral practice.

    Download our modules for early diagnosis and cancer screening.

  • End of life care

    The end of life care module will help you:

    • identify and support patients at end of life
    • plan and coordinate care based on their needs
    • support their family and caregivers.

    Download our end of life care guide or access the end of life care module.

  • Personalised cancer care

    The personalised cancer care module will help you:

    • identify and address a patient's needs and concerns
    • provide a person-centred and holistic approach to care
    • access and perform Cancer Care Reviews.

    Download our personalised cancer care module.

Scotland

With the removal of the QoF from the GP contract in Scotland, we have developed a specific QI toolkit and guidance for primary care teams in Scotland.

Cancer Care Review templates

A Cancer Care Review (CCR) is a conversation between a patient and their GP or Practice Nurse about their cancer journey. A CCR can help patients to:

  • talk about their cancer experience and concerns
  • understand what support is available in their community
  • receive the information they need to begin supported self-management.

The NHS's Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) requires primary care professionals to carry out a CCR within six months of a patient's cancer diagnosis. We have developed electronic CCR templates to support you.

You can also read our 10 top tips for effective Cancer Care Reviews.

How to access the CCR templates

You can find the electronic CCR templates on all major GP IT systems:

  • INPS Vision

    To access the CCR template in the Vision+ Consultation Manager:

    • Select the arrow on the right-hand side of the + icon and select ‘clinical templates’.
  • TPP SystmOne

    To access the CCR template in the TPP SystmOne, follow this pathway:

    • System > Resource Library > type 'macmillan' as the key search term and look for 'Macmillan Cancer Care Review Template 2019'.
  • EMIS

    To access the CCR template in EMIS, follow this pathway:

    • EMIS Library > EMIS Protocols > Third Sector Partnerships > Macmillan/Cancer Support > Macmillan Cancer templates.

If you would like more information on how to access the CCR template within your system, please email macdocs@macmillan.org.uk.

Electronic safety netting toolkit

The North Central London Cancer Alliance (formerly UCLH Cancer Collaborative) has developed an electronic toolkit to support GPs with safety netting in cancer-related clinical situations. The toolkit will support GPs to:

  • schedule diary reminders in their system
  • receive alerts to follow up with patients at a later date
  • share important information with patients.

The toolkit can be accessed nationally by any GP practice using EMIS Web.


Access the toolkit and resources

Top tips for primary care professionals

We've created our 10 top tips series to help primary care professionals support patients at every stage of the cancer pathway. The tips are designed to showcase best practice and offer practical advice for your role.

We have tips to support primary care professionals with:

  • early diagnosis of cancer
  • management of treatment side effects
  • prehabilitation and rehabilitation
  • palliative and end of life care
  • social prescribing.

View all top tips

Oncology and haematology risk assessment tool

We have developed a risk assessment tool to help primary care professionals recognise and manage the side effects of treatment in oncology and haematology patients.

It will help you to support patients who are:

  • at risk of immunosuppresion
  • receiving systemic anti-cancer therapies
  • undergoing radiotherapy.

The tool uses a Red, Amber, Green (RAG) system to grade symptoms and advises action accordingly.

Cancer Decision Support (CDS) tool

The Cancer Decision Support (CDS) tool helps GPs with clinical decision making. It encourages GPs to 'think cancer' and shows the risk of a patient having an undiagnosed, site-specific cancer. The tool calculates the risk of cancer based on coded information in the patient's file, including:

  • symptoms
  • medical history
  • demographic data.

How to access the CDS tool


You can access the tool from these GP IT providers:

We have created a series of video tutorials for the CDS tool.

Significant Event Analysis (SEA) toolkit

The Significant Event Analysis toolkit was developed in collaboration with RCGP. It helps GPs to reflect on cancer diagnoses and identify improvements to:

  • practice systems
  • hospital systems
  • cancer referral pathways
  • proactive safety-netting.

The toolkit also provides you with training resources, fictional examples of cancer SEAs and guidance to support you with diagnosis.

Innovation in cancer care resources

We invest in programmes and services to help professionals adopt new and innovative ways to deliver cancer care in the UK. Working in communities and with the NHS, we fund pilots to improve experiences and outcomes for people with cancer. With this knowledge, we have created tools and resources to help you deliver:

Find out more about our work

Clinical updates for healthcare professionals

Stay up to date with the latest developments in cancer care, with expert news, opinion and analysis. You'll also find blogs about our professionals and the fantastic work they do.

Read our latest blogs for healthcare professionals.

Subscribe to our newsletters

We publish a range of newsletters for professionals who support people living with cancer. Whatever your role, we'll support you with clinical updates, tools and resources.

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Research and evidence

We're at the forefront of understanding the needs and experiences of people living with cancer. Get the evidence and insight you need to develop or deliver best practice in cancer care, delivered by our team of experts. 

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